Tk 4,500cr freshwater shrimp to be exported

Clouds over Bangladesh's freshwater shrimp industry are clearing as the European Union (EU) has renewed its confidence in the second biggest foreign currency earner.
A high-powered EU delegation is due on January 18 to examine the latest improvement in compliance as the six-month self-imposed ban on shrimp import to the EU came to an end yesterday.
On June 1, entrepreneurs voluntarily suspended the export of salt-water shrimp to the EU for six months following the detection of health hazardous antibiotic, Nitrofuran, in it, which resulted in cancellation of more than 50 consignments.
Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) has set a target to export freshwater shrimp worth of Tk 4,500 crore for this year.
"We have earmarked Tk 4,500 crore freshwater shrimp export to different destinations including EU if any problem does not arise and if EU does not object," said BFFEA President Md Musa Meah.
The association has already forwarded a proposal to the government suggesting the setting up of at least two modern testing labs in Khulna and Chittagong, he said. BFFEA does not expect the suspension again.
On chemical use in shrimp production, he said the government should make a shrimp policy forthwith to propel the growth of the industry.
He asked the government to give necessary directives to the deputy commissioners in Khulna and Chittagong so that they could initiate a campaign to withdraw the antibiotic drug items from local markets.
Musa Meah said the sector had witnessed some sort of uncertainty after two consecutive disasters and global recession that brought down prices, forcing some factories to shut down and ultimately dented the buyers demand for salt-water shrimp.
"We have got nothing from the government in the backdrop of the crisis and not even a single Penney from the stimulus package worth of Tk 5,000 crore."
Chairman of Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) Syed Mahmudul Haq said they want to have a pint point in every level of production like farmers, businessmen, processing and export.
The foundation has embarked on a plan to formulate 'national plan' in collaboration with the industries association and the Department of Fisheries to promote the sector, said Haq.
Fisheries and Livestock Ministry officials said Bangladesh exported freshwater shrimp worth of Tk 114 crore to different destinations except the EU during June to November last year while it was Tk 246 crore in the same period in 2008.
The country exported around 50,368 tonnes of shrimp of all categories and earned Tk 2,774 crore last year and this year the ministry expects to export 55,000 tonnes of shrimp.